Long-Term Release of Dexamethasone With a Polycaprolactone-Coated Electrode Alleviates Fibrosis in Cochlear Implantation

• DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.740576
• Publication Date: 2021-10-29T06:59:25Z
• Authors: Dongxiu Chen; Yanjing Luo; Jing Pan; Anning Chen; Dong Ma; Muqing Xu; Jie Tang; Hongzheng Zhang
• Keywords: Spiral ganglion; Electrode array

Cochlear implantation (CI) is the major treatment for severe sensorineural hearing loss. However, fibrotic tissue forming around electrodes reduces effectiveness of CI. Dexamethasone (DEX) usually applied routinely in perioperative cochlear (CI), but its diffusion inner ear after systemic administration limited. In present study, an electrode coated with polycaprolactone (PCL) loaded dexamethasone was developed a simple preparation process to maintain stability itself. The DEX-loaded PCL coating has good biocompatibility and does not change smoothness, flexibility, or compliance implant electrode. Stable effective DEX concentrations were maintained more than 9 months. Compared pristine electrode, decreasing intracochlear fibrosis, protection hair cells spiral ganglion cells, better residual observed 5 weeks PCL-DEX implantation. great potential preventing loss fibrosis by regulating macrophages inhibiting expression fibrosis-related factors IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-4, TGF-β1. conclusion, shows promising application CI surgery.